Springfield Police Department Structure
The Springfield Police Department is an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency comprised of an authorized strength of 311 sworn officers and 81.5 civilian employees. We serve a population of approximately 168,528 located in 82 square miles. Services are available at Headquarters with a substation at Missouri State University. The department is organized into three divisions.
The Support Services Division assists a wide variety of customers ranging from people in need of an accident report to forensic support for major crime investigations. As a regional basic and in-service police training facility, we provide training opportunities to all of southwest Missouri. Support activities necessary to the efficient functioning of operational and command elements of the SPD are provided by this division. The staff coordinates technological improvements for the department including operation of the mobile data system, conducting management research services, handling grant project applications, investigating allegations of police misconduct, managing budgeting and purchasing activities, coordinating criminal intelligence and crime analysis activities, and conducting accreditation compliance. Our goal is to provide quality service to meet the needs of all customers in a way that helps them do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
The Operations Division is the largest division in the department and has the most community contact. When a person calls for help, officers assigned to a squad will be the first responders. From traffic enforcement officers to hostage negotiators to K9s and Special Response Teams, the Operations Division performs a variety of services in many different areas. The Community Services section is comprised of Community Policing Services, Crime Prevention, and volunteers. Springfield is divided into ten beats and officers assigned to a beat work a 4-10 schedule.
The Investigations Division is responsible for investigating crime and sending completed investigative reports to the appropriate prosecutor for the filing of criminal charges. Many practices in the criminal justice system may not be familiar to crime victims or witnesses. It is our mission to provide reassurance to victims and witnesses, answer any questions they may have, and give them the information they need. The Criminal Investigations Section investigates property and persons crimes, violent crimes and fraud. The Special Investigations Section is responsible for narcotics, gambling, prostitution, gangs, and extremist group investigations.
